Lauryn Hill just pled guilty to a major federal crime … admitting she intentionally failed to file several tax returns in the past decade — and now the former Fugees singer faces 3 years in prison.

Hill pled guilty today to three counts of failure to file tax returns for the years 2005, 2006, and 2007 — when she earned more than $1.8 million.

When the judge asked if Hill “intentionally and willingly” failed to file the returns, she replied, “Yes.”

In addition to the 3 years behind bars, Hill could be smacked with $75,000 in fines.

Hill was released on $150,000 bail. Her sentencing hearing is set for November.

We were hoping Lauryn’s lawyer would come with a better defense than that blog manifesto she posted last month. But apparently not. Hopefully she won’t have to do the time in jail cuz all them kids need their mama! Heck — we need her too…